The vandalism and theft of boilers causing more than €100,000 worth of damage at a Galway City Council-owned housing estate has been described as “appalling” by local TD Michael D Higgins.
The Labour president said that the break-in to houses in the Sliabh Bhán estate in Ballybane is “an appalling development” but one that underlines the urgency of transferring empty finished houses to social housing.
Of the 18 vacant houses in Sliabh Bhán, 16 have been targeted by vandals and thieves over the past few weeks. According to reports at least 16 high-tech water cylinders, which cost in the region of €1,300 each, were stolen to order. Extensive damage was also caused to windows, doors, and roofs. These 18 houses had been designated for affordable housing but could not be sold and now Galway City Council is due to transfer them to a voluntary housing organisation.
Deputy Higgins says that these incidents “might have been anticipated, and most of all must not be allowed to recur”. The deputy is now calling for a change in social housing provision.
“All over the country local authorities are reporting that in the absence of sufficient provisions from central Government, or even the approval of local authority loans, social housing provision has ground to a halt. At the same time a majority of the elected representatives, from all of the parties regard the new leasing system which will place an obligation on the local authority to maintain a property for 20 years, provide a tennt, and never enjoy ownership, is the least effective way of addressing our housing need.
“This scheme is addressed to the needs of those who have speculatively built houses that they cannot sell and that alone. Local authorities are prevented from purchasing houses outright at a time when market conditions would enable them to expand their housing stock. At the same time direct provision of capital for social housing is reduced and loan approval is not forthcoming.
“The issue of empty houses goes much further than the looting of the houses in Sliabh Bhán, which all reasonable people must condemn. The Labour Party certainly does so, but it will be calling on all of its councillors to expose the leasing system which the Government is offering as a concession to its speculator friends as an alternative to the real proposals which have come up from local authorities from all over the country for the opportunity to be taken for the purchase of housing and its addition to the social housing stock of these author
